• University City High School jazz band and string quartet, 1 to 4 p.m., Bookstar Costa Verde, 8650 Genesee Ave., Ste. 230, concert to kick off book fair to benefit the UCHS music program, (858) 457-7561, free

To ready film lovers for San Diego’s 23rd annual Jewish Film Festival, the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center will host special guest filmmaker James L. Freedman, creator of “Glickman” — the inspirational story of groundbreaking Jewish sports legend Marty Glickman and his trials to overcome bigotry and revolutionize sports imagery in the media.

For one night only on Dec. 11, the story of Glickman’s life — from being benched in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games to placate Hitler to becoming the voice of modern basketball broadcasting — will air on the big screen at the community center’s David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre, immediately followed by a film discussion with Freedman.

The film screening will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets to the screening and post-film discussion are $13.75. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.sdcjc.org/sdjff or call (858) 362-1348. The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center is located at 4126 Executive Drive.

MUST HEAR

San Diego’s one-and-only opera singing chef, Elizabeth Podsiadlo, will kick off the holidays in La Jolla with “Songs of the Sea & Carols of the Season” at the La Jolla Community Center Dec. 15. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception in addition to a cooking demonstration by Podsiadlo, who will create her flavorful beggar’s fish soup complete with potatoes, tomatoes, rosemary and fish. Following the cocktail hour, the chef will perform alongside baritone Patrick Andersen, pianist John Danke and several of their caroling friends. Songs will include operatic arias, contemporary holiday hits, classical tunes, folk carols and songs of the sea. Tickets to the holiday program are $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers. All proceeds from the event will benefit the La Jolla Community Center, located at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. For more information, visit www.ljcommunitycenter.org or call (858) 459-0831.

MUST HEAR

The Bishop’s School’s talented symphony orchestra will present “A Symphonic Wonderland” at the campus’ Taylor Performing Arts Center on Dec. 12. The program will begin at 7 p.m. with a harp performance of the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky, featuring a beautiful lyrical cadenza by Bishop’s junior Elizabeth Barnes. Freshman Jay Shankar and guest musician Alexander Gourevitsh — lead clarinetist with the Moscow Philharmonic and the Moscow Radio Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra — will also delight audience members with the magical sounds of Mendelssohn’s Concertpiece. The Bishop’s instrumental ensemble and symphony orchestra are also included in the program under the leadership of conductor Vladimir Goltsman. Tickets are $7.50 and available at boxoffice.bishops.com. The Bishop’s School is located at 7607 La Jolla Blvd.

MUST HEAR

La Jolla’s St. James by-the-Sea will continue its music series with the renowned a cappella ensemble, “Sweet Honey in the Rock,” on Dec. 9 for a lively performance featuring the talented all-female ensemble and its musical fusion of blues, spirituals, gospel, rap, hip hop, reggae, African chants, ancient lullabies, jazz improvisation and much more. The concert will begin at 5 p.m. at St. James by-the-Sea, located at 743 Prospect St. Tickets are $25 and children and students are admitted free at concert time, space permitting. For tickets or information, visit www.sjbts.org or call (858) 459-3421 ext. 109.

MUST PLAY

The folks at Hotel La Jolla know that the holidays are as much for the family pooch as it is for the kids. That’s why the contemporary boutique hotel, part of the Kimpton family of hotels, is inviting pet owners to bring their furry family member to their festively decorated lobby for a photo opportunity with Santa Paws and tasty treats for their pet. La Jolla-based Muttropolis and the Rancho Coastal Humane Society will also be on hand with surprise giveaways for participants at the two-day event on Dec. 8 and 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. Hotel La Jolla is located at 79565 La Jolla Shores Drive. For more information, visit www.hotellajolla.com or call (858) 459-0261.